Cleaning your X1

[nagelixin]

How do you clean your X1?

- Can you recommend any products that I should have a look at.

Eg: Turtle, Nufinish etc?

[mozdal]

I got impressive results with Turtle Carnauba Wax. It really makes the paint shinier. And I use turtle F21 Super Protectant for plastic parts of the bumpers. I am not using any chemicals for interior. Only microfiber towel and water to clean dashboard etc. I use soap when the leather steering wheel gets dirty. For the engine compartment mario486 mentioned about engine bay cleaners of AutoGlym but I couldn't find here in Ankara.

[mario486]

Originally Posted by nagelixin

How do you clean your X1?

- Can you recommend any products that I should have a look at.

Eg: Turtle, Nufinish etc?

I have used many types of products but for me the following works best:

1. Zymol Autobathe to wash
2. Dodo Juice clay and lubricant to clay the car if necessary (not needed when car is new)
3. 3M Cleaner to remove swirls and scratches (not needed when car is new)
4. Zymol Titanium carnauba wax to finish
5. For plastics and trim I use Zymol detail wax

Recently I have been trying out the Harley Wax as an alternative to Zymol. It also has a very high carnauba wax content and to be honest I cannot tell the difference between the two. Harley is about 75% cheaper than Zymol and I am now just waiting to see if its as durable.

One other range you can look at is the Meguiars products.

Autoglym is also OK. Their shampoo is very good. The wax is OK, gives a good shine but has a low carnauba content which means you need to wax quite often, every 6-8 weeks. Zymol lasts 6-8 months in Scotland! Will see how long Harley wax lasts but its been on the Mini for 4 months now and still beading well.

For the interior I agree with Mozdal, a damp cloth is sufficient for most tasks. I stay away from things with a fragrance or a gloss finish. For leather I also stay away from products with lanolin, it makes it greasy and shiny. Again a damp lint-free cloth is fine and if necessary a good (lanolin-free) leather cream.

[abhay]

Got my X1, now big job to maintain it and I am planing to do really keep it clean and tidy

I am planing to go for a pressure washer with foam lancer and I am planing to use Meguiars Hyper wash http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...?T1=MEG+D11001

Also would Wash and Wax like this one http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748 really help, I am lazy enough to apply paste based wax and rub the car.

If any one else used this stuff please share your experience, it will be great help.



Regards
Abhay

[jag1]

I use Collonite 915 and Dodo juice light fantastic { both work well with Alpine white}. Collonite or FK1000 are good for long lasting care in adverse weather protection

[Gatekeeper]

Whoaw ! I'm speechless.... And I thought I WAS taking care of my cars...

[DUH CAR]

I use Zaino products.

[Pepe79]

Good topic, I have 3 questions:

What is the best way to get rid of the dead mosquitos in the front after 1400 kms of higway? (unfortunately some stayed there even after the wash + it was a week ago already.)

I made a mistake by trying to get rid of them after the first long run, and made some tiny but (for me) visible scratches with a sponge (stupid girl who never had a tip-top car before). Can I get rid of those?

What type of sponge you're using or no sponge at all? What is the best way to clean the beauty?

Thanks

I know, I still did not write about my experience with my Red Devil, but it'll come soon.

[bradschaching]

Originally Posted by abhay

Got my X1, now big job to maintain it and I am planing to do really keep it clean and tidy

I am planing to go for a pressure washer with foam lancer and I am planing to use Meguiars Hyper wash http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...?T1=MEG+D11001

Also would Wash and Wax like this one http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748 really help, I am lazy enough to apply paste based wax and rub the car.

If any one else used this stuff please share your experience, it will be great help.



Regards
Abhay

I paid (was conned into?!) paying the extra $1,200 for the paint protection which has a lifetime guarantee and doesn't need waxing.

[tompak23d]

I am a bit disappointed when cleaning My car. The scratches in the poor quality plastic does not look good. When i cleaned My Audis i never discovered Any scratches, neither in My xc90. This is embarrasing BMW

[mario486]

Originally Posted by tompak23d

I am a bit disappointed when cleaning My car. The scratches in the poor quality plastic does not look good. When i cleaned My Audis i never discovered Any scratches, neither in My xc90. This is embarrasing BMW

Where do you get scratches Tompak?

[mario486]

Originally Posted by Pepe79

Good topic, I have 3 questions:

What is the best way to get rid of the dead mosquitos in the front after 1400 kms of higway? (unfortunately some stayed there even after the wash + it was a week ago already.)

I made a mistake by trying to get rid of them after the first long run, and made some tiny but (for me) visible scratches with a sponge (stupid girl who never had a tip-top car before). Can I get rid of those?

What type of sponge you're using or no sponge at all? What is the best way to clean the beauty?

Thanks

I know, I still did not write about my experience with my Red Devil, but it'll come soon.

Hi Pepe79,

A good way to get bugs off is with a dedicated bug cleaner you can get at most shops that sell car cleaning products. However, the best way is to use detailing clay with plenty of lubricant. This will also take out light swirl marks (tiny scratches), tar spots, tree sap etc. Good ones are made by Zymol, Swissvax, DodoJuice and Meguiars. You will need to apply some wax after though as the clay will take it off. When cleaning a car remember never to use anything but a very, very light pressure. If any dirt does not come off easily its needs a spesific product to get it off properly.

If your scratch marks are a bit deeper that the clay does not take them out, use the 3M product I mention above. Its called 3M PERFECT-IT III - Ultrafina SE Polish but note, its a polish, you will again need to wax afterwards as well.

You also ask about what sponge to use, well in my opinion thay are all rubbish. I find the best all round is a microfibre washmitt, the type that has shaggy dreadlocks on one side. Always hose your car down first though, top to bottom. There are also other hands off ways to wash like the snow/foam method but you need more specialist kit.

Hope this helps but let me know if you want any more info. Hyper-cleaning or detailing is a hobby of mine. Basically detailing cleans/polishes/waxes the car to a level better than what it leaves the factory as.

[Phil777]

Thanks very much Mario486 - my new X1 is due to arrive (in Toronto) in about 4 weeks and we get LOTS of bugs in this part of the country, so knowing what works and what doesn't when it comes to removing them is very helpful. I appreciate it! Cheers!

[mario486]

Originally Posted by Phil777

Thanks very much Mario486 - my new X1 is due to arrive (in Toronto) in about 4 weeks and we get LOTS of bugs in this part of the country, so knowing what works and what doesn't when it comes to removing them is very helpful. I appreciate it! Cheers!

Heh, heh, so do we here, called midges. Tiny wee beasties with big teeth that eat people. Drive through a swarm of them and your car looks like a sesame bun.

[Phil777]

At least they have the decency to wear kilts!

[mario486]

Originally Posted by Phil777

At least they have the decency to wear kilts!

Um, you do know what a Scotsman wears under his kilt?

[Phil777]

I do, but the bugs here don't even bother with the kilts!

[Xeins]

Originally Posted by mario486

Hi Pepe79,

A good way to get bugs off is with a dedicated bug cleaner you can get at most shops that sell car cleaning products. However, the best way is to use detailing clay with plenty of lubricant. This will also take out light swirl marks (tiny scratches), tar spots, tree sap etc. Good ones are made by Zymol, Swissvax, DodoJuice and Meguiars. You will need to apply some wax after though as the clay will take it off. When cleaning a car remember never to use anything but a very, very light pressure. If any dirt does not come off easily its needs a spesific product to get it off properly.

If your scratch marks are a bit deeper that the clay does not take them out, use the 3M product I mention above. Its called 3M PERFECT-IT III - Ultrafina SE Polish but note, its a polish, you will again need to wax afterwards as well.

You also ask about what sponge to use, well in my opinion thay are all rubbish. I find the best all round is a microfibre washmitt, the type that has shaggy dreadlocks on one side. Always hose your car down first though, top to bottom. There are also other hands off ways to wash like the snow/foam method but you need more specialist kit.

Hope this helps but let me know if you want any more info. Hyper-cleaning or detailing is a hobby of mine. Basically detailing cleans/polishes/waxes the car to a level better than what it leaves the factory as.

Mario,

What product/brand to use in the dashboard to clean it, remove scratches and to keep is factory look (not shining look)...

[mario486]

Originally Posted by Xeins

Mario,

What product/brand to use in the dashboard to clean it, remove scratches and to keep is factory look (not shining look)...

Hi Xeins, to be honest a plain damp cloth and then dry with a microfibre cloth works for most cleaning jobs inside. Important to do it when the car is cool inside and then dry it well to prevent spots or residue. Just for interest its the best way also to clean leather interiors as well.

For light scratches and a deeper clean I use Zymol Scuff and Stain Remover and Zymol Vinyl Conditioner. I have also used Maguiars Gold Class Vinyl Cleaner. In all cases its important to wipe off and then buff the vinyl/plastic to prevent it going shiny.

For deeper scratches in plastics, including outside trim I use the Renovo range of products but here you have to start being careful as you can make things worse with inexperience.

[Xeins]

Originally Posted by mario486

Hi Xeins, to be honest a plain damp cloth and then dry with a microfibre cloth works for most cleaning jobs inside. Important to do it when the car is cool inside and then dry it well to prevent spots or residue. Just for interest its the best way also to clean leather interiors as well.

For light scratches and a deeper clean I use Zymol Scuff and Stain Remover and Zymol Vinyl Conditioner. I have also used Maguiars Gold Class Vinyl Cleaner. In all cases its important to wipe off and then buff the vinyl/plastic to prevent it going shiny.

For deeper scratches in plastics, including outside trim I use the Renovo range of products but here you have to start being careful as you can make things worse with inexperience.

I have white spots on the rubber hand doors, where you put your and to pull/close out the door (driver and passenger doors). Is that normal? What is it? How to clean it?

[mario486]

Originally Posted by Xeins

I have white spots on the rubber hand doors, where you put your and to pull/close out the door (driver and passenger doors). Is that normal? What is it? How to clean it?

Difficult to say what it is, dried sweat perhaps. If you have cleaned with water and the white then re-appears it could be limescale. Could also be residuals of the coating they put on the car at the factory. Try cleaning it with a damp cloth and then drying it with a microfibre cloth.

Important to dry things if you have used plain water as most tap water contains minerals, some natural, some added. These leave the telltale water spots on the outside of a car. Its pretty much the same stuff you get in a kettle over over time.

If you do have limescale a light vinegar water mix will help get it off.

[abhay]

Originally Posted by bradschaching

I paid (was conned into?!) paying the extra $1,200 for the paint protection which has a lifetime guarantee and doesn't need waxing.

Lifetime guarantee, wow, but will that also protect swirls and scratches?,


And Mario486, you have been great help here, I have a question, do we have to wax our car even if its new, or we can do it say on first service?

Just ordered Bosch Aquatak 100 plus, but yet to get my hands on a foam lance, its hard to find it here, probably will have to get it from UK, as most of the online stores in UK have them in stock than US.


Regards
Abhay